IT'S ALMOST take-off time for Southampton's kite festival, when all eyes will be on the sky for the annual display of colourful flying wizardry.

The experts will be looping and wheeling their kites in a spectacular range of tricks as they take part in the national flying championships.

For beginners, there's a chance to make your own kite and learn the ropes of flying.

The festival, sponsored by Southampton City Council and C Coles funfair, is being run by the Solent Kite Flyers.

One of Southampton's biggest summer events, the two-day festival now forms part of the national kite scene and is home to one of the UK's competition rounds, attracting some of the best two and four-line kite flyers in the country.

It will also feature a special night flying display, of "kites with lights", and dancing kites performing synchronised moves to music.

Trade and craft stands, live music, street theatre, Punch and Judy shows and children's face painting will also be lining the show arena at Lordshill's outdoor sports centre on the outskirts of the city.

A motorcycle display team will wow visitors with their daring stunts and an army of marching majorettes are also set to perform.

Dare-devil teddy bears can even get in on the action with a parachuting cuddly toy event which will see visiting bears whisked into the air underneath an array of high-flying power kites.

The event starts at 10am on Saturday and runs through until 5pm on Sunday, with the night fly scheduled for 9pm on Saturday.

For more information - or if you are interested in joining Solent Kite Flyers - call Michael Lowe on 023 8077 0788.